Stirrupless

During the time of Steward Cirion, a great mass of Balchoth gathered along the southern edges of Mirkwood, preparing for an assault on Gondor. Seeing no hope of matching their numbers, Cirion decided to call for aid from his ancient allies the Éothéod, now dwelling in lands far to the North. He sent out six messengers to call for their help, but their path to the Éothéod led them up into the Vales of Anduin, close by the lands where the enemy were mustering.

Five of these six fell to the Balchoth during the deadly ride, and only one survived, though only barely. This was Borondir, called Udalraph or 'Stirrupless'. He completed the journey of more than a thousand miles to bring Cirion's call to Eorl, then Lord of the Éothéod. Eorl heeded the call, and Borondir the Stirrupless rode beside him at the head of the long ride back into the south. At the journey's end, they fell upon the enemy and won a great victory at the Battle of the Field of Celebrant, though Borondir the Stirrupless lost his life in that battle.